The federal government has chosen to bypass the province of Ontario and directly provide homelessness funding to cities, including a significant $10.5 million allocation to Ottawa over two years. This move comes after the federal government was unable to reach an agreement with Ontario before winter. The funding is intended to support a range of initiatives aimed at addressing the growing homelessness crisis in Ottawa, including expanding shelter capacity and providing more transitional housing options.
The federal government has taken the unusual step of bypassing the province of Ontario to directly provide homelessness funding to cities, including a significant injection of $10.5 million over two years for projects in Ottawa .
The Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced Wednesday that it was unable to reach an agreement with the provincial government before winter, prompting the decision to proceed with individual funding agreements for 10 municipalities across the country. \Ottawa city officials expressed their enthusiasm for the federal funding, emphasizing the urgency to address the growing homelessness crisis. Clara Freire, the city's general manager of community and social services, highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy and the time required for implementation, particularly for capital development projects. The city has been grappling with a surge in homelessness for several years, exacerbated by an influx of new arrivals straining an already overwhelmed shelter system. \Recognizing the critical situation, the city established an emergency task force in 2023 to provide immediate relief and prevent lives from being lost during Ottawa's harsh winters. Councillor Laura Dudas, a member of the task force, pointed out that approximately 60% of the shelter population consists of newcomers, a trend that is unsustainable. She stressed the need for a multifaceted approach, including not only shelters but also transitional housing options. The city is actively engaged in negotiations with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to secure funding for a plan aimed at temporarily housing and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. \Meanwhile, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed optimism that the federal funding would make a substantial difference in supporting the city's plans to bolster shelter capacity and add 400 new beds of transitional housing. He acknowledged the immense challenges faced by the city, stating, 'The needs are growing and we want to be as responsive as possible. We don't want people sleeping outside in our community.' Dudas revealed that city staff responded to 375 encampments in 2023, with most individuals voluntarily relocating from the streets. The city's winter plan aims to ensure that those leaving the streets have a safe and secure destination by increasing shelter capacity and the availability of transitional housing.
Homelessness FUNDING OTTAWA ONTARIO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CITIES SHELTERS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
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